Smart EQ Forfour (2019 – 2022) Review
Smart EQ Forfour (2019 – 2022) At A Glance
Smart has transformed itself from a maker of small city cars with petrol engines to one that solely offers electric vehicles. Following the introduction of the Smart EQ Fortwo, it was inevitable that this larger model would follow the same route and take on the same electric powertrain. But is it a better buy than the Renault Zoe or stylish Fiat 500 Electric? Our full Smart EQ Forfour review reveals all.
One of the smallest four-seater models on the market, the Smart EQ Forfour is barely 100cm longer than the ForTwo, which means it is ideally suited to those looking for a city car that takes up as little road space as possible.
It also continues the Smart approach to exterior design, with the familiar upright body, bold grille and headlight arrangement, and two-tone body colour on many models, giving an eye-catching appearance.
The Smart EQ Forfour also follows the same layout as on previous Smarts, with the majority of the powertrain housed at the rear to leave as much cabin space as possible.
In this guise, there is an 82PS single electric motor driving the rear wheels, while a 17kWh battery provides up to 81 miles of range according to WLTP testing.
This is considerably less than key rivals such as the Renault Zoe and Volkswagen e-Up. It also offers a maximum charging rate of 22kW, but because of the relatively small battery this means it can go from 10% to 80% charge in 40 minutes.
Inside, the Smart EQ ForFour offers seating for four – as its name suggests – which is impressive for a car of this size. Those in the front get the best treatment, with plenty of space, and the wide-opening doors mean access is decent, even for those with limited mobility.
There is less room in the rear, though, with smaller doors meaning tighter access, while headroom and legroom are more restricted. However, children will have few issues and adults of average height or below will find there is enough space.
The boot capacity is more of an issue, with just 185 litres available, less than the Volkswagen e-Up and Renault Zoe. The rear seats can be folded flat to give up to 975 litres of space, but this, of course, makes the car a two-seater.
In terms of the drive, the Smart EQ Forfour is much happier in the city than on the open road. The combination of a small footprint and tight turning circle, combined with the low-speed zippiness of the electric powertrain, makes it a fun car to pilot through urban environments. In this respect, it delivers what you would want from a small EV.
Less impressive is the ride quality, which at urban speeds seems to pick up road imperfections quite easily and takes something away from its appeal in cities.
At higher speeds, the ride settles down somewhat, but here the powertrain is less capable and reaching the top speed of 81mph is a drawn-out affair.
The Smart EQ Forfour is a decent small EV in the right conditions, but even within the confines of the city it is not perfect. Very limited range and indifferent higher speed performance mean it struggles out of town, making it a car that suits a pretty small audience.